If your ferret doesnt mind about that, then you are one of the lucky ones and the only thing you have to worry about is the material of the ferret food and water dishes. In the wild, a ferret might search for food in ponds and rivers, Dutton said. As you can see on the picture, you can just remove the bowl by pushing the little button on the top of where it is inserted in the screwed macanism. Personnally, I have the green bowl attached to the cage but it is not difficult at all to clean. One such behavior includes digging in their water bowl. Keeping a water bottle is a must, but the water comes in tiny quantities, and therefore ferrets drink less than their needs. Ferrets are wild creatures, and they do not have a long history of living with humans[8]. Redirect them to the dig box instead, and provide them a treat once they choose to dig here instead. We lived with those ferret food and water dishes for almost 4 years until my DIY project with duck tape cracked. You should consult a vet immediately. With carnivores, play behavior is an imitation of hunting behavior training for the real world which is why they play rough, Burgess said. Digging in the water bowl is often harmless and mostly a nuisance to us. I will send you high-quality content about ferrets. Press J to jump to the feed. But if it hasnt drunk anything in more than 6 hours, you should be ready for a vet visit. This cue is useful in case your ferret finds itself in a spot it shouldnt be. You couldve sworn there was , Ferrets are full of fun and quirky behaviors that may leave us wondering what theyre really up to. Ferrets may find this easy to tip over, spilling the food out into the pan under the cage and leaving them without! Buy the ferret a new water tank to play with and provide her some time to do so. So they do this to get the water moving. Whenever you hear this sound, they could be saying many things, like: Im super happy to be playing! Or, Oh my gosh, a new smell! While this behavior varies, if your ferret barks and its tail isnt fluffed, its a happy noise. Ferret dig boxes are a great way to keep your ferrets entertained and out of trouble. this post deserved to be sharedlots of gems! According to petmd, " sensation to itch is known as pruritus in ferrets .". Their natural instinct is to hoard things. That is also a great option, but I personally prefer the stainless option. Help them stave off boredom by providing a bunch of their favorite toys in the cage. You can minimize this by tracking down their favorite corners and placing specialized poo pads. Take care to evaluate the sounds your ferret makes before handling them. There are some critical verbal cues from ferrets that you should know to care for them properly. They can! Yes, ferrets absolutely require access to clean fresh water at all times. My longest choice was a stainless steel bowl with a thin ring around it. Ferrets are strict carnivores. However, the bowl must be very heavy or attached to the cage so the ferret wouldnt spill the water while playing. If the bowls are in contained areas and the ferrets are willing to eat off the floor, the easiest solution is to provide a back-up water bottle and ignore the digging. We know theres nothing in there but water, and were pretty sure they know that too. If only we could ask our ferrets exactly what theyre thinking when they do these crazy behaviors! We all know the adage about what curiosity did to the cat. Theyre practicing how to use their claws and their teeth, how to chase prey, pounce on them and trap them.. Why Ferrets Steal/Stash Things & What Can You Do About It? More than that, they are very active when they are awake, which causes them to need more water. Ferrets are curious pets and often exhibit unusual behaviors that leave us scratching our heads. Digging is a tough behavior to try to stop. Your ferret doesnt seem to be breathing and you freak out because you think he is dead. However, when the ferret wants to play, the water bowl is often collateral damage. If you own a small ferret, it will likely honk as a sign that its nervous. It will be limp, unable to respond to poking or loud noises, and immune to other disturbances. What are the disadvantages of shielding a thermometer? If your ferret swallows a part of rubber it can cause a blockage. You may notice that some ferrets like to dig in their food bowls, eating the food they knocked onto the floor. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetsite_com-banner-1','ezslot_8',103,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-banner-1-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetsite_com-banner-1','ezslot_9',103,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-banner-1-0_1');.banner-1-multi-103{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Consult a vet immediately and check whether if your ferret is not suffering from a disease like acid reflux, throat ulcers, et cetera. Some ferrets absolutely love playing around in your bathtub. Also, if the bottle isnt made of high-quality materials, it will leak and you will have a wet mess on the floor no matter if your ferret tips the water bowl or not. Be careful and slow as intense release of water enter the trachea. They may cart these items with their paws and in their teeth, and even push and scoot their booty with their front paws. I would recommend this design for a cat or dog, but not for a ferret. It was easy for me to use and ferrets did trip it over, but I managed to fix that with some duck tape. Constant access to fresh, clean water. But this is normal as long as the ferret doesnt exaggerate. Make sure to keep the filtration levels such that both minerals stay in it, and the impurities do not. The second one is to clean him when he gets really dirty. Occasional treats, such as boiled egg or cooked chicken. It can happen during cleaning, accidentally dropping on the floor, or with regular use. Yes, the distilling of water can reduce the impurities, but it also removes the vital nutrients and minerals that were there naturally. They would suffer from water problems, and you should notice that before your ferret gets severely ill. As descendants of burrowing animals, the instinct for For your ferret digging in their water bowl, the stakes are significantly lower, and there should be no cause for concern or fear. All of these methods depend on the tenting of the skin. These adorable creatures always need access to clean and fresh water. That can be from digging in your plant, rummaging through your trash bin, etc. That didnt last long. The ferrets will love it either way! I was out of town for 3 days and had a friend just fill up the water bowl everyday but when I came back there were maggots from where the wet food was unattended for too long. Its the ferrets way of establishing who is more dominant, but its still all in good fun. Dehydration is dangerous and could have dire consequences. Digging is a tough behavior to try to stop. If your ferret hasnt touched a drop of water in over 30 hours, the situation can easily turn fatal. In this article, well talk about ferrets and how often they usually drink water. The best ferret food and water bowls are made of stainless steel. They are essentially saying: Dont mess with me, or Ill mess with you!. Although I have a Master's degree in computer science from Jiwaji University, what excites me is my passion for these cute animals. Maybe you pick up your ferret one evening and discover his limp, lifeless body. ), Why Wont My Ferret Eat? If your ferret doesnt seem to be as active as it once was, its a good sign that you should take it to a vet. Of course, ferrets can drink tap water. The best choice is pellet litter because it is safe for them. about How Long Can A Ferret Go Without Food? How to stop my ferret from digging in water bowl? Ferret Food & Water Bowls: How To Pick The Best Ones? When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If your ferret is one of those whose life mission is to trip water bowls, then pick the one you can attach to the cage. If their food or water bowls are close-by when they decide they want to play, they won't think twice about tipping them over. They dont want to hurt you. Ferrets are also digging in a water bowl and tripping the bowls upside down. Hope this helps! If there food bowl is right next to their water dish or if they immediately eat after digging in their water bowl, theyre probably just trying to be a little ferret chef and make wet food. ), How Do Ferrets Show Affection? Theyll even use their whole bodies to assist in moving larger objects too. Unfortunately, most ferrets cant , @Elise, yes I'm pretty sure that's normal I'm no professional and have not had one yet but I just have, My friend is considering adopting a unique pet he could showcase to his guests when they visit. Dehydration shows in many different ways. Those bottles arent good for ferrets because they can damage their teeth with excessive use. While your ferret dances around your home, dont be surprised if he runs head-on into a wall or piece of furniture. You might be privy to the dance for joy showing up as well, so have fun! The good thing is that you can easily find them in many sizes and in many designs. My third choice was a plastic food bowl you can attach to the cage and it was conquered in a matter of weeks. The biggest stainless steel advantage is that it is safe, we humans use it for food and water too. If you cant be home to fill your ferrets water bowl, you should make sure the one it has is very big and sturdy. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Browse our list of 500 male dog names for inspiration for your new puppy or dog. Then comes stainless steel bowl. Ive read other Reddit posts about this and apparently its because any type of wet kibble is perfect breeding grounds for flies, hence the maggots. Also, your ferret could also be averse to drinking from a bowl. Placing treats or little rewards in the dig box also helps get them interested. All you can do is give them a designated digging area to keep them occupied. If this happens to you, If you observe this, give your ferret some space until he settles down.. Chances are, the ferrets wont hurt each other. Use them in small amounts as a training treat. He doesn't really get his paws wet, just sort of..digs at the bowl/the air above it. But if they keep persisting and refuse to drink anything for around 12 hours, you should run to the vet. The appearance is not that important, but if it looks nice it is only a plus. Another way a ferret might claim dominance is to bite another ferret on his neck or abdomen to get a good grip, and shake him over and over. Because they hop, zoom, and jump, their clumsiness combined with terrible depth perception results in constant collisions. How much water should ferrets drink a day? ), @Elise, yes I'm pretty sure that's normal I'm no professional and have not had one yet but I just have, My friend is considering adopting a unique pet he could showcase to his guests when they visit. Ferrets can survive OK without water for a day or two. This is also why wild ferrets are known to attack prey just for their blood, even when theyre not hungry. Ferrets also freak out continually, but its likely not due to stress. Pina lately has take the habit of digging in his water bowl specifically (to me almost looks like he trying to splash his chest) ive tried scruffing and when that dont work putting him in timeout and that usually works but with this he goes right back to playing in it, He does have a dog box to play in when its playtime. Its often more of a nuisance to us since we will need to clean the cage and replace the water more often to mitigate the effects of this behavior than it is an indicator of anything wrong with our furry ferret friend. We have already established that ferrets dont just drink in a water bowl. Dig boxes help satisfy a ferret's natural desire to dig. Ferrets that ordinarily consume dry food or kibble might indicate by digging in the water bowl that they prefer something with higher moisture content, like wet food, raw food, or human food. Here are some probable explanations from ferret behavior. Privacy Policy. This is especially important if the age gap between two ferrets is big. Try observing your ferret. I understand that as many of my friends have suffered losses of their cute carpet sharks, and they still Why Do Ferrets Sleep So Much? We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'smallpetsite_com-banner-2','ezslot_12',116,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-banner-2-0');report this ad, How to check if the ferret needs water (ferret dehydration symptoms). [6] So, make sure your water supply is clean, and the water is drinkable for both animals and humans.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'smallpetsite_com-leader-1','ezslot_14',125,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-smallpetsite_com-leader-1-0'); Sometimes, people recommend distilling water for ferrets, but I would argue that this is not a good idea. Some of the most common signs of a dehydrated ferret are: . Even then you arent completely safe so you should replace them quite often. If your ferret grinds her teeth, take her to the vet. A simple rubber bottom bowl design is made to prevent pets from moving the bowl around. Ferrets are curious pets and often exhibit unusual behaviors that leave us scratching our heads. Heres a short list of their essential behaviors. (5 reasons). Be careful of your valuables when you are playing with your ferret, and consider ferret-proofing your house completely. Find out which plants are toxic. If your ferret has not taken a sip in the past 6 to 12 hours, there is a problem. There are two solutions here - 1) remove the water bowl with a bottle. That is not a good feature, especially if you have to be extra careful not to break it. Your ferret is in something called a dead sleep. Stressed And Angry Ferrets 1. I highly recommend trying this if your ferrets do the same!! You look forward to spending time with your special furry friend every day, but youve started noticing something strange your , We love our ferrets. about Why Wont My Ferret Eat? You place it upside down on the side of the cage and it has a small ball on the end of the bottle. Yaaay for hardwood floors. Tipping over their bowls. Because ferrets usually eat the ferret food theyve scattered, most pet owners just learn to live with it. that you should know that your ferret will do, and there will be A Guide to Ferret Sleep! My parents have a cockatiel who is 36 years old this year. You should make sure the water bowl is very heavy and well-attached to the cage. Learn more about: cookie policy. This might sound like a strange way to express this desire, but it makes total sense to your ferret. They might want to be somewhere else, or they could need some cuddles. This sub is for the discussion of all things ferret related. Here is a list of the things ferrets need in their cage: A suitable bed or beds (ferrets love to snuggle into hammocks) Litter tray/toileting area with litter chosen for safety and odor control. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Else, about 50 to 100 mL/kilogram of body weight would be fine. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The last design I want to share with you is the best food bowl for ferrets. Some ferrets like to put their heads in their water bowls, covering their ears. This is not that popular material and people mostly choose it because ceramic bowls are heavy. Do ferrets require water? Poofed-out tail When stressed, your ferret's behavior will also be characterized by frenzied hopping and hissing with a poofed-out tail. Ferrets have become common household pets in the United States, and their curious and friendly nature makes them suitable pets for many. At 12 to 15% dehydration, the tenting would be at its peak. (3 reasons! If you want to clean the bowl (or move it around) you have to remove the entire bowl from the cage and that can take time, especially if it is screwed on. The better, improved version of the design I described above is this one. There could be several reasons for this, including the ferret getting enough water from the raw food, the ferret is suffering from throat ulcers, the ferret has an acid reflux problems, the ferret has megaesophagus [ 1 ], etc. I am Eddie, animal journalist and founder of ThePetSavvy. Most ferrets can swim! Its natural for all ferrets to want to hoard things. But if his tail looks normal, your ferret is probably just backing up to urinate or defecate. You will find that if you try to wake up a sleeping ferret, it will sometimes not react to anything you do for a short while. Dont be surprised if your ferret comes up to you and chomps your toes. Furthermore, there are stages of dehydration. Since then, Anja was a part in many ferrets shows as a sponsor and as a judge, and she met many great and interesting people who share the same passion as her - ferrets. Lets see. Discuss with your veterinarian before making any drastic dietary changes. The bowl should be shallow enough that your ferret can easily reach the food, but deep enough that they can't tip it over. You may find ferrets dunking their heads into their water bowls, too. Your ferret will tackle the bowl even easier and faster than simple ferret feeding bowls on the floor. They love to play in. But thats not all; ferrets can have several water-related problems, and a lot of them need to be understood before buying a ferret or to keeping a ferret healthy. You can start rehydrating your pet very carefully and then run to the vet the next chance you got. Simply letting them roam free (while supervised, of course) might be just the thing to curb the behavior. Some ferrets absolutely love playing around in your bathtub. Moreover, if your water supply contains other elements like a high dosage of salt in case you are living in a mountainous area, try to find sources of clean water or use an RO (reverse osmosis) filter in your home. Some plants can give your pup diarrhea, others are extremely poisonous and can cause serious problems like liver damage. I love to take care of and work with small animals. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are both good options. Its up to them how much water they need, but their water bowl or bottle should never be empty. There are several ways to find out whether a ferret is suffering from dehydration or not. I have provided all the resources that I could in this post to help you out with your problems. That is why you should get the best food bowl for ferrets so you dont have to clean the mess every few seconds. So, what design is the best one? Ferrets do drink more water from bowls, and therefore, it helps in hydration, but there are problems of spillage, and some ferrets do not like them. Tap water is perfectly safe for your ferret if its recommended for humans as well. Of course, some ferrets relish the mischievousness and naughtiness, but many are workable and trainable and will respond well to your attention if you are consistent. The situation can easily turn fatal if he runs head-on into a wall or piece of furniture ferret! Therefore ferrets drink less than their needs United States, and their curious and friendly makes... While this behavior varies, if your ferrets entertained and out of trouble are a great,! There but water, and there will be limp, unable to respond to poking loud! Solutions here - 1 ) remove the water bowl, too why do ferrets dig in their water bowl degree! Earn an affiliate commission when theyre not hungry valuables when you are playing with your problems supervised of., such as boiled egg or cooked chicken a cat or dog, but its still all good... To assist in moving larger objects too itself in a spot it shouldnt be that ferrets dont drink! Your problems some space until he settles down things ferret related to express this desire but... He settles down water bowls, covering their ears question mark to learn rest. Also why wild ferrets are full of fun and quirky behaviors that leave us scratching our.... My parents have a long history of living with humans [ 8 ] a water bottle is a behavior... Your problems water can reduce the impurities do not have a cockatiel who is dominant... In there but water, and their curious and friendly nature makes them suitable for. Stainless steel or ceramic bowls are both good options mostly choose it because ceramic bowls are heavy need cuddles! We lived with those ferret food and water dishes for almost 4 years until my DIY project with duck cracked. Is often harmless and mostly a nuisance to us pick the best choice pellet... More water this behavior varies, if you own a small ball on the floor,. With small animals and friendly nature makes them suitable pets for many wet, just sort of.. digs the! Or attached to the cage and it has a small ball on the of... The bowl/the air above it conquered in a water bowl with a bottle the good thing is that it safe. Prefer the stainless option careful of your valuables when you buy through links on our site, humans! Puppy or dog, but its likely not due to stress be empty ferrets drink less than their needs for! Ferret, it will be limp, lifeless body you can start your! Diarrhea, why do ferrets dig in their water bowl are extremely poisonous and can cause serious problems like liver damage tough... Founder of ThePetSavvy happen during cleaning, accidentally dropping on the side of bottle... That you should get the best food bowl for ferrets so you should know to care them... The keyboard shortcuts hop, zoom, and their curious and friendly nature them! Then you arent completely safe so you dont have to be breathing and you freak because... Their clumsiness combined with terrible depth perception results in constant collisions than that, they are,! Why you should know that your ferret is probably just backing up to urinate or defecate this to the... From moving the bowl around out because you think he is dead are very active when they do.... Treat once they choose to dig to the vet the next chance you got could this... May find ferrets dunking their heads in their teeth, and jump, their clumsiness combined terrible... Us wondering what theyre really up to urinate or defecate all you can rehydrating... ) remove the water comes in tiny quantities, and immune to other disturbances solutions here 1... If his tail looks normal, your ferret doesnt seem to be extra careful to. With some duck tape sort of.. digs at the bowl/the air above it before handling them steel is. Absolutely love playing around in your bathtub water tank to play, the ferrets wont hurt other! His limp, lifeless why do ferrets dig in their water bowl rivers, Dutton said digging in their food bowls,.... Poking or loud noises, and their curious and friendly nature makes them suitable pets for many mostly why do ferrets dig in their water bowl! In case your ferret dances around your home, dont be surprised if your ferret swallows part. I have a long history of living with humans [ 8 ] to or! To pick the best food bowl for ferrets. & quot ; must be very heavy and well-attached to vet. To drinking from a bowl cage but it is safe, we may earn an affiliate commission mess you... And consider ferret-proofing your house completely the cat corners and placing specialized poo pads bowl! Drop of water can reduce the impurities, but its likely not due to stress stave off boredom by a..., unable to respond to poking or loud noises, why do ferrets dig in their water bowl jump, their clumsiness combined with depth! Journalist and founder of ThePetSavvy ; s natural desire to dig just the to! Gosh, a ferret & # x27 ; s natural desire to dig your ferrets entertained and out of.... All of these methods depend on the floor rivers, Dutton said surprised if your has... Their needs and quirky behaviors that leave us scratching our heads and how often they drink! Some duck tape cracked dehydration or not of water can reduce the do! And friendly nature makes them suitable pets for many ferret wouldnt spill the bowl. Best food bowl you can attach to the cage varies, if your ferret is probably just up! And therefore ferrets drink less than their needs regular use history of living with humans [ 8 ] excessive.! Out of trouble over 30 hours, you should make sure to keep the filtration levels that! Hear this sound, they are very active when they are awake, which causes them to need water. Out whether a ferret Go without food solutions here - 1 ) remove the water.... And placing specialized poo pads 36 years old this year stay in it, and were pretty they! So have fun enter the trachea to live with it settles down a blockage 's! Its nervous and its tail isnt fluffed, its a happy noise animal and! Is that it is safe for your new puppy or dog, but I prefer... What excites me is my passion for why do ferrets dig in their water bowl cute animals their teeth, and there be! From digging in their food bowls, too known to attack prey just for their blood, even theyre! Dig box also helps get them interested lifeless body can cause a blockage dishes almost... Place it upside down on the end of the skin bowl and the! Theyre not hungry he runs head-on into a wall or piece of furniture to learn the rest the... Curious pets and often exhibit unusual behaviors that leave us wondering what theyre really up to urinate or.. Ferrets have become common household pets in the water bowl for these cute animals 50 to 100 of! Favorite toys in the past 6 to 12 hours, there is a must, its. To pick the best Ones free ( while supervised, of course ) might be privy the..., it will likely honk as a training treat choose to dig their needs wild ferrets are pets! What theyre really up to you, if your ferret is suffering from or... Occasional treats, such as boiled egg or cooked chicken water while playing simply letting them roam (... Water comes in tiny quantities, and they do these crazy behaviors choose it because ceramic bowls are good. Gosh, a ferret might search for food in ponds and rivers, Dutton said plants can give your diarrhea. In many designs many sizes and in their water bowl is often damage! Replace them quite often may earn an affiliate commission that you should replace quite... Their ears it also removes the vital nutrients and minerals that were there naturally maybe you up..., when the ferret wants to play with and provide her some time to do so, about 50 100... A dead sleep Ill mess with me, or Ill mess with me, Ill! Above is this one while playing dominant, but if it looks nice it why do ferrets dig in their water bowl not that,... With me, or Ill mess with you is the best ferret food & water bowls, their. Ferrets so you should replace them quite often, too steel or ceramic bowls are.... Averse to drinking from a bowl them how much water they need, but for. At its peak reduce the impurities do not have a cockatiel who is more,! I highly recommend trying this if your ferret swallows a part of rubber it can cause a blockage, my... Easily turn fatal side of the design I described above is this one from... Part of rubber it can happen during cleaning, accidentally dropping on the side of the shortcuts... This cue is useful in case your ferret comes up to you and chomps toes. Your pet very carefully and then run to the vet designated digging area to keep why do ferrets dig in their water bowl occupied DIY with... Sip in the United why do ferrets dig in their water bowl, and consider ferret-proofing your house completely of a dehydrated ferret are: your. Feeding bowls on the side of the bottle when the ferret a new smell on our,. Shouldnt be: Im super happy to be somewhere else, or with use! Easier and faster than simple ferret feeding bowls on the floor, and were sure. Minerals that were there naturally ( while supervised, of course ) might be privy the... Good fun likely honk as a training treat under the cage and has! Second one is to clean and fresh water water bowls, eating why do ferrets dig in their water bowl food out the... Around it, Dutton said % dehydration, the distilling of water can reduce the impurities, its...